Middlesbrough look set to make Columbus Crew midfielder Aidan Morris their second signing of the summer.
According to The Athletic, Middlesbrough have agreed to pay MLS club Columbus Crew a fee of around £3.14 million to secure his services ready for next season.
Having signed right-back Luke Ayling following the expiration of his Leeds United contract after a successful loan last season, Michael Carrick‘s next priority was always a midfielder.
It seems the Boro boss is about the get his wish, with additions required ready for a season in which Carrick will be aiming for promotion.
The Athletic report reveals that Morris has left the USA under-23 Olympics training camp in order to fly to England and complete the deal.
Aidan Morris career so far
Morris joined the Columbus Crew academy as a 15-year-old in 2017, having previously played youth football for Florida-based Weston FC.
As is the conventional route for sportspeople from the US, Morris temporarily left Columbus Crew to attend college in 2019, studying at Indiana University, but was quickly signed by Crew on a professional contract after just a year away.
The midfielder made his professional debut for Crew in July 2020 in the MLS is Back Tournament before making nine appearances in the regular season.
The now-22-year-old missed the entirety of the 2021 MLS season through injury before seeing his involvement grow significantly in the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, making 27 and 36 league starts respectively.
Last year, Morris’ impressive performances saw him earn a spot in the MLS all-stars side managed by Wayne Rooney that lost 5-0 to Arsenal.
With the MLS season running from February to at least October dependent on a team’s success, Morris has made 16 appearances in all competitions so far this campaign, scoring three and assisting another three.
Despite the fact the youngster has already made five appearances for the USA senior side, he is set to play a key role for his country’s under-23 team at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris should Boro allow him to and has currently played four and scored one in that age group.
What they say about Aidan Morris
Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy: “He has a lot of activity on the pitch, but now the challenge that I have for him is, he runs too much.
“He has to stay a little bit more in his position, to be able to free up the space for his teammates or free up the space for him to be able to play.
“This is not natural for him because he likes to touch the ball. But the key point, the way we build the team and the way we play, is there is the trust part within that. … The idea is for him to be more composed in terms of his position.”
Interim USA coach Anthony Hudson in 2023: “I was so pleased for Aidan Morris.
“I thought Aidan was fantastic. I’ve known Aidan since he was with the (U-20 team) and followed him ever since. He’s a young man that just keeps stepping up.
“Whatever challenge is put in front of him, he’s always going to step up to it. He’s a tough, tough, tough character. I was pleased with Aidan.”
Aidan Morris player profile
- Full name: Aidan Morris
- Age: 22
- Height: 1.75m (5ft 7in)
- Nationality: American
- Date of birth: 16th November 2001
- Place of birth: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Position: Centre midfield
- Club: Columbus Crew (USA)
Aidan Morris to Middlesbrough analysis
Carrick is desperate to add quality to his midfield options, with depth also crucial.
Boro academy graduate Hayden Hackney is expected to leave this summer, which would leave Jonny Howson and Dan Barlaser as the only two central midfielders in the squad.
Morris is a real throwback of a midfielder in the sense he is an all-rounder who can operate in the holding role, as a conventional centre-midfielder, or as a more attacking player.
With Carrick generally preferring to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, Morris could easily slot into one of the two deeper midfield roles, with his tough tackling and passing ability making him a real asset.
The USA international has a cultured right foot and will not be shy to shoot from distance, a quality which could endear him to Boro fans.
This is a signing that has a lot of potential and should excite The Riverside faithful, but Boro arguably need at least one more midfielder once the signing is confirmed.